Thursday 23 June 2022 05:17 PM WWII tank buried 30 feet underground for 74 years has been completely restored trends now
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A huge WWII tank buried underground for 74 years in the Lincolnshire Ferns has been completely restored.
The 26 foot-long Buffalo tank has been buried almost 30 feet down since 1947, but astonishingly could become Europe's only driveable example by next summer.
Farmer Daniel Abbott, 42, and his team of volunteers hauled the huge 20-tonne amphibious tank from underground in April last year after three years of searching and planning.
The Buffalo sank into the ground after being washed away when being used as a flood defence to protect the village of Crowland, Lincolnshire during the March 1947 floods.
It was part of a temporary dam to hold back the flood from the River Welland, which involved 15 other tanks.
The Second World War-era tank was buried 30ft underground and needed a huge excavation to be recovered
Daniel Abbot,42, on top of the tank he spent three years working to get out. He and his team restored it to its current condition in just over a year
The 26 foot-long tank has been relatively well-preserved thanks to being buried in peat and clay for the last 74 years
Remarkably, Daniel Abbot thinks the historic tank could be fully driveable next summer, with some of its original components having been restored to working order
The tank ended up underground after being swept away and sinking during floods in 1947
Now, just over a year later, the tank has been restored in time for the 75th anniversary of the 1947 floods and it will be on display at the Thorney & Crowland 1940s Weekend on June 25 and 26.
The LVT-4 tank has had its cockpit restored, its front armour plating re-sprayed, the original gearbox has been repaired, and new tracks have been fitted.
Daniel Abbott, who located the Buffalo, said: 'I'm absolutely blown away by the restoration. We have got a new working engine from America and hope to fit it in the tank over the winter so by next summer it will be driveable.'
Daniel Abbott poses holding a Union flag after it was excavated Crowland, Lincolnshire
The crew managed to dig up the 20-tonne tank and haul it out of the 30ft haul
